When Addiction Strikes the Corner Office: Intervention on a Boss

A co-worker’s struggle with addiction can make the office a stressful place to be. When the person in charge of keeping the company healthy is the one with a drug or alcohol addiction, going to work can be downright miserable. Covering for a boss who fails to return phone calls or emails, or whose mood swings make for a volatile work environment not only diminishes the employee’s ability to do their job but also enables the higher-up to continue their problem behavior.

But how does an employee stage an addiction intervention for the bigwig in the corner office? Can you say something without putting your job on the line? According to the experts at Promises Treatment Centers in Los Angeles, there are few options for walking this fine line.

Interventions for Bosses

The Direct Appeal

Because of the power dynamics, a casual conversation about a boss’ drug or alcohol problem isn’t typically advisable. But if you care about your boss’ well-being or are concerned about your job or the future of the company, ignoring the problem won’t improve the situation, either.

“If the employee has a solid, long-standing relationship with their boss, a sincere expression of concern and a polite and compassionate appeal for them to get help may make a difference,” says Dr. Greg Skipper, the Director of Professional Health Services at Promises drug treatment center in Los Angeles, who was helped into recovery, in part, by a concerned employee many years ago.

Of course, a direct appeal comes with a certain level of risk, which many employees are reluctant to accept, particularly in a tough economy.

Human Resources

Most companies have policies in place for handling drug or alcohol problems in the workplace, and some have employee assistance programs, built-in support systems designed to help employees address problems that impact their personal and professional lives. Start by speaking with a human resources representative about the procedures in place. Be sure to find out whether complaints are kept confidential.

Professional Assistance Programs

Certain fields have professional assistance programs that accept referrals when a doctor, lawyer or other licensed professional shows signs of drug or alcohol addiction. Many of these programs are able to maintain the anonymity of the individual submitting a report and are highly successful in getting an addicted professional into treatment.

Professional Interventionist

In the absence of an employee or professional assistance program, the employee may enlist the services of a professional interventionist who specializes in interventions for executives. A neutral third party may be able to help you formulate a plan for speaking with your boss or get the appropriate parties involved.

The Boss’ Supervisor

Another possibility is making an honest expression of concern to the boss’ supervisor or another executive. Interventions are often most effective when the person confronting the addicted executive is in a position to use the threat of job loss as leverage to help get them into drug rehab.

“It requires very high management to have that first conversation,” Dr. David Sack, CEO of Promises, told BNET.
As you prepare to discuss your concerns, whether with HR, an assistance program or a supervisor, start a log that documents problematic behaviors, including:

• Frequent absences from work or tardiness
• Complaints from clients or co-workers about missed appointments, lack of preparation, or unreturned emails or phone calls
• Illogical behaviors that may range from overly enthusiastic to hostile
• Requests for cover-ups
• Deteriorating health or hygiene

The log should include the date, place, description of the behavior and names of other people present.
Roughly 75 percent of adults who use illicit drugs are employed. Even though they manage to maintain their employment, bosses who are dependent on drugs or alcohol still need help to recover from addiction. If it isn’t your voice they hear, make sure they hear someone’s.

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Intervention Topics

The Addiction Primer: Everything You Need to Know to Get Help for a Loved One

A very inexpensive yet indispensable guide for anyone struggling with a loved one's addiction. Chapters on intervention, what to expect from rehab, and information on how addiction impacts the family.

Types of Addiction Intervention

Johnson ModelThe Johnson Model of Intervention is a confrontational approach to drug and alcohol intervention that was introduced in the 1960s. An interventionist leads the family and close friends in this planned confrontation, which is unknown to the addicted individual beforehand.

Invitational ModelTo proceed with the Invitational Model of Intervention, a concerned family member must contact an interventionist about the person with a substance abuse problems. Several family members meet or talk with the interventionist, and plans for the workshop are made. One family member is coached on how to invite the addicted individual to the workshop, although it will take place regardless of whether the individual decides to attend.

Field Model It is an overlay intervention model that includes Johnson model and Invitational Model. It specifically trains to techniques you can use in the field, during the actual intervention, should problems arise, and is best suited for crisis interventions where there is a risk of violence or other critical issues that could sabotage the success of the intervention.

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Addiction Intervention

If you have a loved one who is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction but he or she is resistant to treatment, sometimes the best chance for hope is to have a professional alcohol intervention specialist or drug interventionist work with you and your family to encourage them to get the help they need. Addiction-Intervention is an informal guide to intervention to help you with this process, whether you need a drug intervention specialist, alcohol interventionist, or an intervention specialist for a process addiction such as gambling.